4 ms·

I think in CS that isn't such a concern. I mean they will want good grades in maths (and decision maths covers some parts of the CS curriculum) but little else

I think in CS that isn't such a concern. I mean they will want good grades in maths (and decision maths covers some parts of the CS curriculum) but little else, perhaps Physics - but other than that just good grades. The thing is that the Computing A Level wasn't widely available and the quality differed between qualifications and exam boards as well - whereas Maths is pretty consistent and is run at every school. I was fortunate enough to be able to study Further Maths as well, which honestly I would consider a better preparation.

coroxout 8y ago
I sadly concur, as someone who did fine at Computing A-Level with no work, found Further Maths difficult and was lucky to get a B with extra tuition and some juggling of module results to maximise my two final grades, and dropped out of a CS degree. I liked coding for fun but really had almost no idea what CS was when I applied. So maybe the US system would have been better for me in that I could have dipped into a bunch of 101 courses and changed my major. In the UK system, most people don't go to other subjects' lectures and if you don't like what you're doing, you have to apply from scratch. There's usually no way to change course at the same university or even get any kind of help or advice about finding an alternative elsewhere. One of these years I'll work out what I should have studied and do that instead... actually, I probably won't, now it costs £30k+. I'm glad there are MOOCs so I can satisfy my urge to sign up for random things, watch one week's worth of lessons, and then never go back again, all for free.
- alexgmcm 8y ago
  I had some idea of what CS was as my dad was a programmer. I chose Physics though in the end - I think the subject that really gets let down is Engineering, I had no idea what that meant. The UK (and the rest of the world) really needs much better access to education - there is no reason it should cost 30k when huge parts can be delivered MOOC-style and the remaining exams and labs done in person. Even the Open University costs a fortune these days! I hope Corbyn's National Education Service idea might fix it - if he gets elected and Brexit doesn't wreck everything...
C1sc0cat 8y ago
Ah so its been taken over by the maths department :-) Back in the day I tried to switch from a HNC stream mech eng to a Maths Stats and Computing but it was 99% pure maths (no CS maths) and the computing element was nugatory and ancient.

coroxout 8y ago

I sadly concur, as someone who did fine at Computing A-Level with no work, found Further Maths difficult and was lucky to get a B with extra tuition and some juggling of module results to maximise my two final grades, and dropped out of a CS degree. I liked coding for fun but really had almost no idea what CS was when I applied. So maybe the US system would have been better for me in that I could have dipped into a bunch of 101 courses and changed my major. In the UK system, most people don't go to other subjects' lectures and if you don't like what you're doing, you have to apply from scratch. There's usually no way to change course at the same university or even get any kind of help or advice about finding an alternative elsewhere. One of these years I'll work out what I should have studied and do that instead... actually, I probably won't, now it costs £30k+. I'm glad there are MOOCs so I can satisfy my urge to sign up for random things, watch one week's worth of lessons, and then never go back again, all for free.

alexgmcm 8y ago
I had some idea of what CS was as my dad was a programmer. I chose Physics though in the end - I think the subject that really gets let down is Engineering, I had no idea what that meant. The UK (and the rest of the world) really needs much better access to education - there is no reason it should cost 30k when huge parts can be delivered MOOC-style and the remaining exams and labs done in person. Even the Open University costs a fortune these days! I hope Corbyn's National Education Service idea might fix it - if he gets elected and Brexit doesn't wreck everything...

C1sc0cat 8y ago

Ah so its been taken over by the maths department :-) Back in the day I tried to switch from a HNC stream mech eng to a Maths Stats and Computing but it was 99% pure maths (no CS maths) and the computing element was nugatory and ancient.